Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 15:58”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
I really just wanted to focus on this one, powerful verse of Scripture for today. “Therefore”! Since the Lord is going to return and destroy the works of Satan. Since sin and death are going to be swallowed up in righteousness and victory, let’s make CERTAIN that we are on the “right” side with the “sheep” when the “parting” occurs (Matthew 25:31-33). Therefore, since there IS a resurrection, don’t eat, drink and be merry (verse 32). Instead be steadfast, immovable and always abounding in the Lord’s work!
Because Christ is returning to resurrect the dead and judge the living and the dead, we can and MUST be “steadfast”. This word literally means “firm” and implies an unwavering commitment to Christ and His will and commandments for us. This is not to say that there will not be ups and downs and storms and waves in our lives in Christ Jesus. But it does mean that we must make the determination to hold fast to the rope of our anchor (hope) and refuse to let go until Christ calms the seas. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil” (Hebrews 6:19). The hope and assurance of a glorious, righteous resurrection and an eternity in heaven (within the veil) should provide us all the motivation we need to be unwavering in our commitment to Christ and to keep a steadfast hold on our anchor!
“Immovable” – This is the only time in the New Testament that this word is used and it is very similar in meaning to “steadfast”. It means to be firmly planted and unwilling to budge from your position or run away from it. While we are standing firmly in the Lord with a dogged determination to fight for the cause of righteousness and against the onslaught of the devil, we must be “always abounding in the Lord’s work!” So much for the idea that all we have to do is believe in Jesus to be eternally safe and secure. Being a faithful Christian is work and sometimes it is hard work! But as long as we are making the effort to serve the Lord in righteousness and resist Satan’s allurements, He will always be with us to help us stay faithful.
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12) God will never leave us alone in our struggles as long as we are fighting the good fight! And we have so very much to fight for in light of the awesome day of Christ’s glorious return!
Peter also commented on the coming of Christ as motivation to serve Him well and live our lives in righteous devotion to Him. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Indeed and amen! Nothing this world has to offer is worth losing heaven over!
Please read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 for tomorrow.
Stay steadfast and unmovable!
- Louie Taylor
